Chanukkah (Hanukkah) - The First Day

Today is the first day of Chanukkah (or Hanukkah). The Festival of Dedication, also known as the "Festival of Lights.
I was wondering what significance this wonderful Jewish celebration has on my Christian walk and found this website that gave a simple, clear cut explanation. I thought I'd share it here on my blog.

Here in Texas, I know there are Jewish families that live here in our great state...somewhere...just not in and around our area. This part of Texas is heavily Protestant. There might even be a synagouge somewhwere...the closest probably being in Dallas...which is an hours plus drive from us.

I have included an excerpt of the article from this web site GOT QUESTIONS.ORG
This website, "Got Questions Ministries", seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable, and timely answers to spiritually-related questions through the internet.





During this great season of remembering miracles, Jesus pointed out to His listeners that the miracles He had done authenticated His claim that He was, indeed, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (see John 10:37-38). His works and His true character clearly demonstrated who He was.

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). The Lord Jesus gives all of us, Jew and Gentile, the “light of life.” And He commanded us to “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Should Christians celebrate Chanukkah today? First, be mindful of the fact that we are under no obligation or “law” to celebrate any of the Jewish festivals given to Israel in the Torah (Law of Moses). But to all true Believers in Jesus Christ, especially those who have a profound appreciation for the Hebraic roots of our Christian faith, celebrating the “true light” of this world only seeks to glorify our wonderful Lord and Savior.

As Christians, we can celebrate the “Festival of Lights” as we rededicate our lives to Christ and acknowledge Him as the perfect and true light of this world. As believers, when we celebrate Chanukkah it reminds us of God's wonderful miracles on our behalf. It reminds us of God's protection throughout our lives. It reminds us to remain true to God even when the world around us tries to force us into assimilation.

Jesus told us that whoever follows Him will not have darkness, but the Light of Life. What a wonderful time of the year to remember and commemorate the great miracle that God has done for us, by giving us new light and new life.

The Eleventh Day Of Christmas

Today I am thankful for the ability to share my faith and belief in Jesus Christ. I was tickled when I stopped to talk with an old friend while shopping this past week. I just mentioned, not thinking about it, the activities me and my family are involved in through our church. As we got further into the conversation, she admitted that it had been years since she had been to church. Even though she lives too far from my church, I hope that she and her family go to the church she had mentioned near her home. She was saved when she was in her late teens, but has not been walking in a close personal relationship with Jesus. My prayer is that she, along with all of her family, will seek a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.


A Christmas Poem

Santa's Christmas Prayer
By Warren D. Jennings

The sleigh was packed,
the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt
by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed
"Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do
and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh
and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well
that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household
before the first light,
I'll cover the world
and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing,
I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter
of each little hoof.

To get in the house
is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney
of each little heart.

My sack will hold toys
to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless
like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings
and not leave a track.
I'll eat every cookie
that's left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord,
only through You,
I just need your blessing,
then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor
the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us,
Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends,
lest Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them,
who gave me this job."

A Christmas Song

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal

Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day

There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around

Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me

Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away

Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there
All around the square
Saying catch me if you can

He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop

Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don't you cry
I'll be back again some day

Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go

Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow

The Tenth Day Of Christmas

Today I am thankful for living in one of the best states in America...Texas!

A Chritmas Poem

NATIVITY
by John Donne
John Donne was and Englishman 1572-1631
Father was Robert Donne an ironmonger
Oxford and Cambridge Universities

Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb,
Now leaves His well-belov'd imprisonment,
There He hath made Himself to His intent
Weak enough, now into the world to come;
But O, for thee, for Him, hath the inn no room?
Yet lay Him in this stall, and from the Orient,
Stars and wise men will travel to prevent
The effect of Herod's jealous general doom.
Seest thou, my soul, with thy faith's eyes, how He
Which fills all place, yet none holds Him, doth lie?
Was not His pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pitied by thee?
Kiss Him, and with Him into Egypt go,
With His kind mother, who partakes thy woe.

A Christmas Song

The Holly and the Ivy!

The version of the Holly and the Ivy carol that we are familiar with today was first published by Cecil Sharp. The Holly and the Ivy is said to have Pagan origins and may therefore date back over 1000 years. It is most unusual for a carol like the Holly and the Ivy to have survived over the years especially during the stern protestant period of the 17th century. The Holly and the Ivy have always been taken indoors during the winter the hope being that the occupants would survive difficult conditions just like the hardy Holly and the Ivy. The colours of the Holly and Ivy, green and red are traditionally associated with Christmas. The author and composer of the Holly and the Ivy remain unknown.



The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The Ninth Day Of Christmas

Today I am thankful for a warm home, a comfy bed and food in the fridge.


A Christmas Poem

HIS Humble Birth

Tenderly she held her Baby,
And looked at Him with love.
Her heart was filled with wonderment,
about her Christ child from above.

This truly was the Son of God
was what the Angel told.
Her tiny Baby full of grace,
such a wonder to behold.

She thought of what His life would bring,
He was born to set us free.
But she only saw her infant Son,
As a Mothers love would see.

The shepherds came, the wise men too,
To praise His Holy name.
She sat in awe, and held her Child,
While those to worship came.

She must have wondered why God's Son
was born to her this day.
She wanted so much to be worthy,
as she bowed her head to pray.

Mary wrapped her robe a little closer,
around her new born Son.
The chill of this old stable,
must not touch the chosen one.

It was a humble birth,
But a King was born that day.
He came to pay the price for us,
and wash our sins away.

A Christmas Song

The words to the following song was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849. He was a minister from Massachusetts. The music for this was composed by American musician Richard Storrs Willis in 1859 who was inspired by the words of the poem.

It Cam Upon A Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
With news of joy foretold,

"Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
Love's banner all unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
Over all the weary world.

Above its sad and lowly plains
Old echoes plaintive ring,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the Angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;

And man at war with man hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O! hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the Angels sing.

O ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;

Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

The Eighth Day Of Christmas

Today I am thankful for things that keep me & my family warm. A wood burning stove, blankets, coats, heaters in our vehicles and insulated cover-alls to wear as we walk through the pasture to feed our cattle.

A Christmas Poem

Christmas Poems
by L. M. Willson

It was a silent night in Bethlehem,
When Christ our King was born,
While shepherds watched their sheep,
On that very early morn.

A brilliant star was shining,
Upon that sacred shrine,
Of the Holy Family kneeling,
Beside the manger of God Divine.

The shepherds followed this radiant star,
Of royal beauty bright,
And listened to the angels sing,
While praising God all through the night.

Hosanna in the highest,
Unto Him all nations sing,
Christ our Saviour is born this night,
\'Tis Christ our Saviour King.

The radiance of His being,
Will shine through all our lives,
And crush the sins of all mankind,
Upon which all evil thrives.

Oh Blessed Child of Mary,
To whom all the world will bow,
\'Tis God\'s Son - The only One,
To this our God forever will avow.

Oh loving Saviour of mankind,
The souls of man both then and now,
Will sing Your praises forever,
And unto You all knees will bow.

Each year we\'ll celebrate Your birth,
To please our God our King,
And pray You will come again,
So peace to this world You\'ll bring.

A Christmas Song

The following hymn or carol was a favorite of mine when I played bells with the church bell choir.
The Carol of the Bells lyrics were added to the original folk music from the Ukraine by Peter Wilhousky. The lyrics and words to this popular Christmas song celebrate the festive season and its traditions such as the pealing of church bells at Christmas and of the singing of Christmas Carols - caroling. The original Ukrainian lyrics to the song was entitled Shchedryk meaning bountiful and were traditionally sang to celebrate the New Year.

Carol Of The Bells

Hark how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seem to say,
throw cares away.

Christmas is here,
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and the bold.

Ding dong ding dong
that is their song
with joyful ring
all caroling.

One seems to hear
words of good cheer
from everywhere
filling the air.

Oh how they pound,
raising the sound,
o'er hill and dale,
telling their tale.

Gaily they ring
while people sing
songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here.

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas,
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas.

On on they send,
on without end,
their joyful tone
to every home.

Ding dong ding... dong!

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish a Very Merry Christmas to my daily blog friends and anonymous readers.

I average around 54 visits everyday from blessed fellow bloggers and readers who live all over the world. They may not always leave me a note at the end of a post, and that's o.k. I was a lurker for a few years before ever leaving my comment for a blogger.

My prayer is that these visitors will experience the knowledge and pleasure that comes when we rest in the presence of The Holy Father, giving back to others, joy, peace, love & thankfulness during this wonderful Christmas season!

May God bless you all.

Below I have listed the "regular" or repeat visitors that pop in at My Homemaking Rurality.

Thank you for visiting!

Do you recognize your state or town?

In the United States -

Texas: Plano, Dallas, Lubbock, Corpus Christi, Houston, Commerce, San Antonio, San Angelo, Garland

Oklahoma: Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Oklahoma City

Arkansas: Glenwood, Hot Springs, Nashville

Tennessee: Bristol

California: Ranch Cucaumoga, Tulare, Mountain View

Pennsylvania: Brookville, Blue Bell

Kansas: Quinter

Ohio: Dayton

Washington: Tacoma, Tonkaset,

Kentucky: Utika

Florida: Tallahassee, Jacksonville

Mississippi: Jackson, Miles

North Carolina: Marion, Cary

Other Countries -


Athens, Greece

Pretoria, South Africa

Moscow, Russian Federation

Greenwood, Manitoba, Canada

Mexajina, Mexico

Cambridge, UK

Marouba, Australia

Delhi, India

Bregenz, Austria

The Seventh Day Of Christmas

Today I am thankful for our cattle grazing in our pastures.

A Christmas Poem

I Heard the Bells on
Christmas Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

A Christmas Song

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go
Take a look in the five-and-ten,
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
But the prettiest sight to see
is the holly that will be
On your own front door

A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel,
One in the park as well
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart